DraftKings Preview

AustYn

The NASCAR Cup Series continues its road-course double as we go from Indy to Watkins Glen for the Go Bowling at the Glen event. Drivers will be extra amped, as only 2 races remain before the cut-off…including this one and Daytona next week. Both tracks are skill oriented. It is highly likely today that a driver wins today that has not won this season. Last week, Michael McDowell drove an amazing race and locked himself into the playoff, which pushes Bubba Wallace into the danger zone 28 points ahead of the cut line and winless. Brad Keselowski and Kevin Harvick are not necessarily comfortable either even though they are 100+ points above the line. Anyone could win next week at Daytona which will add to the drama. Denny Hamlin will be on the pole today and traditionally; Watkins Glen finishes contain many drivers who start up front. My goal today is to pick drivers who were fast in practice and those who have a solid history here. There are only 90 laps in the event, but it would not surprise me to see long-green flag runs again which means track position is key, just like at Indy. This season has been difficult, but as the season winds down, lets finish strong!

Top Pick: Chase Elliott Starting 15th ($11,000)

I opted to go with the highest priced driver Chase Elliott. The situation is too great for Chase, he needs a win and I do not see the 9 car being out of the playoffs. Practice speeds were not promising, but he was one-mistake away from winning last week. Look for Elliott to take home the checkers today.

Supporting Cast: Ricky Stenhouse Jr Starting 28th ($5,900) & Cole Custer Starting 34th ($5,400)

Drawing from the same well as last week, I like Ricky Stenhouse again. Starting in 28th, he is in prime position to return 30+ points this week with a top-20 finish and it doesn’t hurt the fact that he has 5 straight top-20 finishes here. Cole Custer is a driver that I had a locked-in feeling all week. I know he is in the Rick Ware 51 car, but Custer has an 18th and 11th place finish in the Cup Series here and I think he is one of the most underrated road course drivers in the field. I really like Custer to get a top-25 today and turn some heads as he is racing for a full-time ride next season.

FanDuel Preview

Yacs

Including this week, there are only 2 more races left in the regular season and we are going to see another road course again. It feels weird having road courses in consecutive weeks, but here we are. Last week, Michael McDowell absolutely dominated at Indy Grand Prix. Nobody had anything for him. The Fords have been dominant over the last few weeks after getting a slow start to begin the year. A lot of drivers are getting desperate to get those last playoff spots because they are getting taken pretty fast. If a repeat winner wins at The Glen today, then Brad Keselowski and Kevin Harvick are both locked into the playoffs. So, I think they are kind of hoping for a repeat winner today or a win from themselves.

Today’s strategy for FanDuel will be much like last week’s. I want a handful of drivers that will maintain their track position, and really only like 1 driver max to have as a climber. It is so difficult to regain track position at a road course, so you don’t want drivers that will be overly aggressive, but at the same time, you don’t them losing spots. We played it a little too safe last week but won money still. I wanted Suarez last week, but I was afraid of him getting too aggressive. Regardless of that, I think we have the right formula today for you to earn some cash. Let’s hope so anyway.

First Off of the Board: Chase Elliott ($14,000) Starting 15th; Michael McDowell ($11,500) Starting 3rd

I have said this for weeks, and I am not going to back down. I will pick Chase Elliott from here until the start of the playoffs if I have to. This week he made it a little more difficult to pick him due to the fact that he is the most expensive driver in the field, but I think you have to pick him. I said don’t pick super aggressive drivers. Chase isn't one, but he will turn it up a notch today. Chase is the best driver here and Hendrick has won the last 4 at this track, so look for all of those to be strong today.

Michael McDowell secured his 2nd Cup Series victory last week at Indy and he is looking for his 3rd. I think he has a very good shot to do so. McDowell’s track record isn't awesome here, but I think it is very good considering the equipment that he has had to work with in the past. McDowell has been among the best road course drivers this season. $11,500 is possibly a little steep for him, but I’m taking that all day long, considering how well he has performed lately. He was 9th fastest in practice, so he should be strong again today. Also, he won’t be too aggressive, so that is a positive.

Great Value Picks: William Byron ($8,500) Starting 2nd; Kevin Harvick ($6,500) Starting 33rd

Byron has been solid at road courses, but I wouldn't call him a ringer by any means. That will work in our favor today though. If he can hover around the Top 10, then it will be a great value for us. If you see Byron below $10,000, then I feel like you have to take that chance regardless of the track he is driving at. He has 2 Top 10s at the track in his 4 races. In fact, if you believe in number patterns, then we’re in luck. He has alternating finishes in the Top 10 and in the 20s at The Glen. We’re in a Top 10 year if the pattern continues. All of the Hendrick cars seemingly have speed so far here, so I expect him be strong today.

Kevin Harvick’s price makes him an absolute steal today. He honestly has nowhere to go, but up, and he’s $6,500? Take my money, please. Harvick isn't the best road course driver, but he isn't bad by any means. He has finished in the Top 10 more often than not at Watkins Glen in his career. In 21 career races, he has 11 Top 10s with an average finish of 12th. Yeah, I’d say that is pretty solid. Also, it isn't like all of those good finishes were in his earlier career. He has been decent here his whole career. As long as he climbs a little, he is worth the price. If he comes close to the Top 10, which is definitely not out of the question, he is a steal. He will be a steal today, so make sure he is in your lineup.

Playoff Spoiler?: AJ Allmendinger ($9,500) Starting 6th

More often than not, it seems like Allmendinger is a little overpriced at road courses, but today, he is very reasonably priced. In fact, he is in the “steal” range. There’s no denying his talent at road courses, but a lot of times, I can't justify spending $12K on him at any track. He is under $10K today and I think he will maintain that 6th starting spot. Allmendinger could reasonably spoil the playoffs for guys like Chase Elliott, Bubba Wallace, and Alex Bowman. And he could potentially knock out Kevin Harvick or Brad Keselowski. Allmendinger has proven that he can win in this car, so can he do it today? He will definitely be strong. He was the fast car in practice, if that answers the question. The 16 will be a car that I think you will see quite a lot today. Dinger finished 2nd here last season and he does have a win here, back in 2014. It is his best track, by far.

NASCAR Go Bowling at the Glen DFS Preview

DraftKings Preview

FanDuel Preview